A preliminary analysis of subfloor ventilation data: bridging the gap between theory and experiment

AccuRate, the building performance simulation program developed by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, consists of a set of physics-based models. Recent research seeking to validate the AccuRate program using experimental data suggests that the subfloor model may be inaccurate. This study experimentally investigates the ventilation component of that subfloor model. In this article, the University of Tasmania's thermal performance test site is analysed to show that its centre test cell is suitable for ventilation testing. Subfloor ventilation data are then shown to generally match AccuRate's theoretical prediction. The data are further explored to find nuances resulting from obstructions from surrounding buildings. The data are also benchmarked against subfloor ventilation studies from Australia and the UK. Although this study does not purport to fully validate the AccuRate subfloor model, it does greatly contribute to the amount of published experimental subfloor ventilation data from an Australian building and climate.